You may have noticed, I haven’t been logging a whole lot of running miles. For someone who has pretty much run all of her life, this down time has been something of a mixed bag. While, at first, I enjoyed the freedom to do what ever sort of run (or not) I felt like on any given day — no pressure to stick to a training schedule — I have now found that my body has become too accustomed to not running at all.

It’s not so much the physical activity per se — or is it?

Earlier in the month, I found my great toes were getting ripped raw to the point that I would be left hobbling about after each of my runs. It took me a while to identify the issue. When I did, it took me even longer to locate a new pair of my favorite running footwear (in my size). My running was further set back by the breaking in period. Believe it or not, it had been so long since I had broken in a pair of VFFs, I forgot about how the fresh seams rip up my precious feet. I spent another 2 weeks sidelined as the blisters healed up enough for me to head out again.

When I did, it was exhilarating! However, my body reacted with back soreness which trickled into my other activities. The thing is, I want to run. Correction: I need to run. Aside from now being registered for my first event of 2012, running is the activity that clears my head the best. Better than a seated meditation, running is the activity that helps me find separation from the things that stress me out.

Now, if only I can transition back into a more routine level of running without struggling with the woes that hold me back.